PUP MORTALITY AND EVIDENCE FOR PATHOGEN EXPOSURE IN GALAPAGOS SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS WOLLEBAEKI) ON SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND, GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR

• DOI: 10.7589/2016-05-092
• Publication Date: 2017-03-20T15:47:18Z
• Authors: Judith Denkinger; Nataly Guevara; Sofia Ayala; Juan Carlos Murillo; Maximilian Hirsch...; Ignasi Montero-Serra; Katharina Fietz; Tracey Goldstein; Mark Ackermann; Veronica Barragán; Francisco Cabrera; Cristina Chavez; Edward J. Dubovi; Jael Martinez; Gabriel Trueba
• Keywords: Zalophus californianus; Canine distemper

The Galapagos sea lion ( Zalophus wollebaeki ), an endangered species, experiences high pup mortality (up to 100%) in years when El Niño events reduce food supply the Islands. Mortality of pups non-El is estimated be 5% undisturbed colonies. From 2009 2012 we observed 67%) colonies close capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where contact with humans, domestic animals, and rats frequent. Gross postmortem findings from 54 included hemorrhagic lesions liver congestion lungs; histopathology suggested a possible association infectious diseases. Evidence Leptospira infection was found five out seven samples collected 2010. Canine distemper viral (CDV) RNA detected tissues six lions (in 2011-12), four which were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. absence CDV antibodies 109 juvenile animals tested 2014 at urban remote could indicate that 2011 likely confined few animals. Our results indicated have been exposed least two pathogens, CDV; however, impact these infections on unclear.